President of Rhodesia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of Rhodesia
Flag of the president of Rhodesia (1970–1979)
Longest serving Clifford Dupont 16 April 1970 – 31 December 1975
Style	The Honourable
Member of	Cabinet of Rhodesia
Residence	Government House, Salisbury (now Harare)
Appointer	Executive Council
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Formation	2 March 1970
First holder	Clifford Dupont
Final holder	Henry Everard (Acting)
Abolished	1 June 1979

The President of Rhodesia was like the main leader of Rhodesia from 1970 to 1979. Rhodesia was a parliamentary republic, which meant the President's job was mostly ceremonial. The real power was held by Rhodesia's Prime Minister, Ian Smith. Two people officially held the title of President, and two others served as acting presidents. Most of them were of British background. However, Clifford Dupont, who served the longest, had Huguenot (French Protestant) roots.

The position of President, like Rhodesia itself, was not recognized by most other countries during this time. Rhodesia was seen by the world as a British colony until 1980.

How the President's Role Began

On November 11, 1965, the government led by Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party made a big announcement. They declared Rhodesia's independence from the United Kingdom. This was called the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).

The UK government immediately told the Governor of Southern Rhodesia, Sir Humphrey Gibbs, to fire Smith and his government. But Smith ignored this. He said that the UDI meant a new constitution was in place. This new constitution removed the Governor's power to fire them.

The new constitution said Rhodesia would be a Commonwealth realm. This meant it would still recognize Queen Elizabeth II as the "Queen of Rhodesia." A Governor-General would represent her in the country. If a Governor-General wasn't appointed, an "Officer Administering the Government" would do their job.

Smith wanted to name his Deputy Prime Minister, Clifford Dupont, as Governor-General. However, Queen Elizabeth II refused to consider Smith's suggestion. The British government insisted that Sir Humphrey Gibbs was the Queen's only true representative. Most countries agreed with Britain that Rhodesia was still a British colony.

Becoming a Republic

For five years, Ian Smith and his government said they were still loyal to Queen Elizabeth II. They recognized her as Rhodesia's head of state. In fact, the UDI announcement even ended with "God Save The Queen." But in 1969, Smith decided to completely break ties with the British Crown. He wanted to make Rhodesia a republic.

In a vote that year, most white voters strongly supported becoming a republic.

Rhodesia officially became a republic in 1970. Clifford Dupont then became the first President. Ian Smith remained as Prime Minister. A special flag was created for the President. It was blue with the country's coat of arms in the middle. Like the president in South Africa, the Rhodesian President had very little real power. They mostly followed the advice of the Prime Minister.

President Dupont resigned in 1975 because he was unwell. John Wrathall took over as President in 1976. He passed away while in office in 1978. In 1979, an agreement called the Internal Settlement led to a black majority government for the first time. The country was renamed Zimbabwe Rhodesia. Josiah Zion Gumede was chosen as its president.

Like the UDI and the republic, Zimbabwe Rhodesia was not recognized by other countries. In 1979, Britain took back control of the colony under the Lancaster House Agreement. Britain appointed Lord Soames as governor. He stayed until the country became independent as Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.

Leaders of Rhodesia

Here is a list of the people who served as leaders in Rhodesia during this time.

Parties

      Rhodesian Front

Symbols

      Denotes Acting President

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Time in Office			Political party	Cabinet
			Started	Ended	Length of Service
Officer Administering the Government (1965–1970)
–		Clifford Dupont (1905–1978) Acting	17 November 1965	16 December 1965	29 days	RF	Smith
–		Clifford Dupont (1905–1978)	16 December 1965	2 March 1970	4 years, 76 days	RF	Cabinet
President of the Republic of Rhodesia (1970–1979)
–		Clifford Dupont (1905–1978) Acting	2 March 1970	16 April 1970	45 days	RF	Smith
1		Clifford Dupont (1905–1978)	16 April 1970	31 December 1975 (Resigned)	5 years, 259 days	RF	Smith
–		Henry Everard (1897–1980) Acting	31 December 1975	14 January 1976	14 days	RF	Smith
2		John Wrathall (1913–1978)	14 January 1976	31 August 1978 †	2 years, 229 days	RF	Smith
–		Henry Everard (1897–1980) Acting	31 August 1978	1 November 1978	62 days	RF	Smith
–		Jack Pithey (1903–1984) Acting	1 November 1978	5 March 1979	124 days	RF	Transitional government
–		Henry Everard (1897–1980) Acting	5 March 1979	1 June 1979	88 days	RF	Transitional government

See also

• Governor of Southern Rhodesia
• Prime Minister of Rhodesia
• President of Zimbabwe Rhodesia
• President of Zimbabwe